April 2015

Former North Devon teacher jailed for 21 years for boarding school reign of terror

A boarding school teacher has been jailed for 21 years after being found guilty of inflicting a reign of terror over vulnerable boys for two decades.

John Downing took advantage of the children by sexually abusing them after they were sent away to a boarding school in North Devon where he was a teacher and deputy headmaster.

He preyed on boys by sexually abusing them in the classroom, wash rooms, on beach outings and during midnight feasts which he arranged for a select group who he called his ‘Good Boys’.

Downing imposed a regime of fear in which he regularly beat boys with a slipper or wooden coat hanger.

He punished boys who talked after lights out by making them parade naked in the corridor outside their dormitory and encouraged boys on beach trips to walk around in the nude.

Downing, now aged 74, was a teacher and deputy headmaster of Heanton School, near Braunton, North Devon, from its founding in 1968 to its closure in 1985.

The converted rectory was a privately run boarding school for boys aged six to 12, most of whom were sent there by local authorities because they had problems at home.

This meant they had no-one to turn to when they were sexually and physically abused and their secrets remained hidden for years.

Two of them went to the police in the 1990s but officers decided there was not enough evidence. In the years that followed several got in touch over the internet and fresh complaints were investigated by police.

Downing claimed he was the victim of an internet witch hunt with ex pupils jumping on a bandwagon in the hope of getting compensation but his case was torpedoed when they were joined by a clergyman who he himself had put forward as a character witness.

The seven victims had to endure the ordeal of giving evidence at two trials because the jury at the first were unable to reach verdicts. The jury at his retrial at Exeter Crown Court returned unanimous guilty verdict in less than three hours.

After the verdicts the police praised the courage of the victims, many of whom broke down as they re-lived their childhood ordeals.

Downing has been the organist at Torrington church for 50 years during which his activities at the school have remained a secret. He went on to be a teacher at schools all over North and Mid Devon before he retired.

Downing, of Warren Lane, Torrington, denied 39 charges of indecent assault or gross indecency against seven boys aged seven to 12 between 1970 and 1985.

He was jailed for 21 years by Judge Graham Cottle who told him that some of his assaults would now be classified as rape.

He told him: “It is many years since these crimes were committed but you must now answer for the catalogue of sexual abuse that you perpetrated on the seven complainants.

“I strongly suspect this case has no more than scratched the surface of the extent of the abuse of children at Heanton School for which you were responsible, but I only sentence you for the offences of which you were convicted.

“These boys came from unfortunate and disadvantaged backgrounds from which they were plucked when they were six or seven and taken to this school in North Devon.

“They arrived no doubt as bewildered, frightened and abandoned children. On any view they were exceptionally vulnerable. They were introduced to a regime that was at best inappropriate and at worst cruel and shocking.

“Excessive punishment of boys was routine and in that climate you, as deputy head, took the opportunity to regularly, repeatedly and over many years abuse small boys as and when you pleased.

“The level and type of abuse was to right minded people truly horrendous and the victims have been scarred for life as a result. They were all required to relive their experiences by your denial.

“They were exposed to humiliating and embarrassing ordeal of having to tell their experiences to a room full of strangers. Nobody could fail to be moved by seeing them struggling to cope with that ordeal.

“They were demonstrably truthful but they had to contend with accusations of lying and fabrication.

“As a teacher and deputy head you subjected them to very serious sexual abuse. The regime at the school gave you licence to do whatever you wanted to these vulnerable and defenceless children and that is precisely what you did.

“For years you abused one boy after another after another. Apart from anal penetration you committed every form of sexual assault on one or more of them. One act of indecency would now be charged as rape.

“You made boys engage in sexual activity with each other for your sexual gratification and entertainment.

“At this trial you have maintained an arrogant and defiant stance in the face of overwhelming evidence. I have to arrive at a total sentence that reflects the enormity of these crimes against vulnerable young children over many years.

“Your victims have tried to make something of their lives but drugs, alcohol, depression and imprisonment are common features. They are deeply scarred by and the majority of the blame for that can be lain at your door.”

During the two trials the boys, now all grown men, revealed how Downing exploited his position to take advantage of them after they were sent to Heanton by local authorities because they had troubled backgrounds at home.

He molested them at his desk, on the school bus, during midnight feasts in his staff bedroom, on fishing and beach trips, and in dormitories and bathrooms.

He forced boys to stand naked in a corridor as a punishment and beat one terrified and naked boy with a wooden coat hanger so savagely that his screams could be heard the other end of a dormitory corridor.

Downing denied any inappropriate contact and claimed he had been fatherly and caring, putting an arm around lonely, homesick boys but doing nothing sexual.

The jury reached their decision without being told that when police investigated him in 1996 they found he had links to two organisations called the Smoothie Club and the Acorn Club, which were concerned with naked young men.

After the case Detective Constables Alison Mead and Rob Parish praised the courage of the victims.

They said: “The outcome of this case is a credit to the witnesses who have had the courage to give evidence. It was a difficult and protracted investigation.

“We are pleased that justice has been done for the victims and potentially many more who can now at least have some sense of closure.

“This case signifies that the police and prosecuting authorities will ensure these types of cases are dealt with seriously and robustly.”

April 2015

Convicted paedophile jailed for a second time for child sexual abuse offences

A convicted paedophile has been jailed for a second time for separate offences relating to child abuse

Self employed photographer Steven Haldane, 48 of Cambridge Gardens, Hastings (who also calls himself Thomas or Tom Haldane) was found guilty of multiple offences 

At Hove Crown Court on 8/4/2015 the defendant was sentenced as follows;-

1. To arrange/facilitate the commission of a child sex offence – To serve a period of imprisonment as follows;

An extended sentence of 14 years comprising a custodial term of 9 years and an extension period of 5 years.

1. Making indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of child – 9 months imprisonment concurrent to above.

2. Making indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of child – 9 months imprisonment concurrent to above.

3. Making indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of child – 4 months imprisonment concurrent to above.

4. Making indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of child – 4 months imprisonment concurrent to above.

5. Making indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of child – 9 months imprisonment concurrent to above.

6. Making indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of child – 9 months imprisonment concurrent to above.

7. Making indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of child – 9 months imprisonment concurrent to above.

8. Making indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of child – 9 months imprisonment concurrent to above.

He was also ordered to sign on the Sex Offenders register indefinitely, and given a sexual Harm Prevention Order until further notice

The court heard that haldane was convicted at Edinburgh high court in April 1991 for impersonating a police officer and handcuffing a 9 year old boy with intent to abduct for sexual purposes.

Haldane is originally from Falkirk in Scotland

On that occasion he was sentenced to just 4 years imprisonment but only served 2 years 

April 2015

Sex beast had ‘no remorse’ after sickening abuse of girl – Jailed 23 years

A man who sexually abused a young girl has been given a 23 year extended jail sentence by a judge who said he “lacked empathy” for his victim.

Gary Little threatened the girl and also plied her with drugs and alcohol.

A judge at Preston Crown court sentenced him to 18 years jail, with five years extended licence to follow.

Little, 48, of Sandicroft Road, North Shore, was convicted by a jury of seven charges of rape, one of attempted rape, plus 10 of indecent assault.

He had denied all of the offences.

Anthony Longworth, prosecuting, said Little had told the girl to keep quiet and not tell anyone.

He had also given her cans of strong lager to drink and the cannabis and amphetamine.

Mr Longworth told the court: “The effects upon her were considerable.”

He said she had suffered nightmares for years because of the abuse.

She had found the court case particularly stressful and difficult. But the guilty verdicts had enabled her to feel she could carry on with her life, he told the court.

Little had 69 previous offences to his name, including one for indecent assault with had been carried out upon an adult woman.

Julie Taylor, defending, said Little did not accept the 
jury’s verdicts.

“The defendant maintains the stance he took at the trial and remains in denial of having committed these offences.”

She added he had no real relevant previous convictions and now faced the prospect of being a very much older man when eventually released from prison.

Miss Taylor added “The defendant is now in a very fragile mental state. He faces a very lengthy custodial sentence with trepidation”.

Judge Pamela Badley told Little in passing sentence: “No remorse has been shown.

“It is quite clear you are claiming all of these allegations are as a result of a desire for malice.

“I find you to be a dangerous offender. There were significant levels of coercion and threat to gain compliance.

“You are entirely lacking in victim empathy. She has suffered greatly and continues to suffer from the psychological damage.”

April 2015

Bristol man found with 850 indecent pictures and nearly 150 videos of children being abused

A Horfield man has escaped jail after pleading guilty to possessing around 850 pictures and nearly 150 videos of children being abused 

William Fuller, 35, from Radnor Road, Bristol, pleaded guilty to the charge after being found to have the pictures for more than eight months, between 2012 and 2013.

Fuller, who has no previous convictions, appeared in court armed with crutches.

His adopted father, Peter Clark, a former doctor and retired GP, told Bristol Crown Court there was a “real concern” he could self harm or commit suicide if he was thrown in prison.

The father of nine said: “We have a large family and are very supportive of William. We will support him with getting help. My concern is with the risk of harm.”

His honour Judge Ewen Ambrose said the minimum term for someone like Fuller was 12 months, but decided against a prison term so he could rehabilitate.

He warned that people guilty of looking at child pornography could encourage film producers to make more.

He said: “Over eight and a half months in 2012 to 2103, you viewed and downloaded undecent images and video clips of children from the internet.

“You did so for your own sexual gratification, but you did not distribute them and your actions went no further than to viewing them on your computer, but that in itself is a serious matter.

“That is because each picture and video clip shows a real child being sexually abused.

“People who look at these sort of material, by their interest, encourage the production of such material, and encourage the abuse of children.

“That is why these offences are treated quite seriously in court and provoke revulsion in those who learn of them.”

The court was told Fuller had been looking at such pictures for a number of years prior to 2012.

“Some of the children were of a very young age, and there was evidence of distress in some of them not all,” judge Ambrose said.

“This coincided with your alcohol abuse and depression. That is not an excuse, but it provides some context.”

A report from a psychologist showed Fuller had a difficult childhood, and was adopted by his foster family 20 years ago.

He was given a community order with supervision for the next three years, and be required to attend the sex offenders programme. He was also given a 15-year sexual harm order.

The judge said he avoided jail because it would be better for him to undergo the sex offenders programme, rather than go to prison for four months.

He added: “I need to consider the need for rehabilitation, which in the interests of the public are best served.

“If you breach the community order, you may go to prison. You must obey the order and you must comply with its requirements.”

April 2015

Man, 20, jailed for underage sex

A NEWBURY man who ran away with a young girl has been jailed for having underage sex with her.

The victim, a 14-year-old, disappeared for days and was reported missing by her distraught father.

However, all the time she was with Ryan Dobson, of Hamilton Court, Reading Crown Court was told on Tuesday.

Robin Sellers, prosecuting, said Dobson initially denied having intercourse with the child, insisting to police: “She’s too young for me.”

But he later admitted two offences of underage sex when damning text messages between the two were found on his mobile phone. He further admitted possessing cocaine and cannabis.

July 2014

Man admits sex assault

A PENSIONER was ordered to be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years after admitting sexual assault.

September 2010

Convicted sex offender fined after breaching SOPO

A registered sex offender has been fined after admitting twice failing to notify police he was travelling abroad.

Derek Robert Forrester Risi, 50, of Brixey Street, Broadgate, Preston, pleaded guilty at Preston Magistrates Court to failing to comply with notification requirements by not telling officers about the travel arrangements.

They relate to periods between May 15 and June 15 and June 17 to August 30.

He was also ordered to pay a £15 victim’s surcharge and £85 costs.

The court took his guilty pleas into account.

Risi, the former part owner of an electrician business, was previously convicted of having sex with a 13-year-old girl.

He was jailed for 18 months in 2004 by Judge Edward Slinger after admitting three specimen charges of unlawful sexual intercourse, indecent assault and indecency with a child.

He was ordered to sign the register for 10 years.

During the case the court heard he had taken the girl to a boat he owned to impress her. He ‘claimed’ he had first believed the youngster to be 17 but continued the relationship when he knew her real age.

April 2015

63-year-old man jailed for abusing young girl whose family he befriended at a Luton church

A SINGLE mother was befriended by a man at her local Luton church who went on to sexually abuse her young daughter at his home.

David Peck, 63, was jailed for four years today for carrying out assaults on the child, who was aged between 5 and 7.

Luton crown court heard that David Peck and his wife were trusted by the girl’s mother and they became “like family,” even going on holiday together.

Prosecutor Robert Forrest said the offences took place between July 2012 and July 2014. They came to light on Bank Holiday Monday last August when the little girl heard her mother tell a friend how she trusted Peck. The next morning she came downstairs and said: “Mum, can I tell you something? David has been touching me.”

A meeting was arranged at the church and when Peck was confronted he said: “I did it” or “She’s not lying,” said Mr Forrest.

The 7-year old girl was interviewed by the police, saying she remembered the abuse started just before her 6th birthday. She said Peck put his hands inside her knickers and said: “Do you like it?”

Peck had handed himself in to Luton police station, telling staff he had touched a child. He said he had done it five or six times under her clothing and three times above. It began when she was between aged 5 and 6. He said he had tried to keep himself away from the girl and claimed that he did not gain any sexual gratification.

In a victim impact statement handed to the judge, the girl’s mother said she felt she had failed her daughter.

Peck, now of Flintergill Court, Heelands, Milton Keynes, appeared for sentence having earlier pleaded guilty to four charges of sexual assault on a child aged under 13.

Stuart Sprawson, defending, said Peck had voluntarily sought counselling and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. “As soon as the events were disclosed, he met the mother with his wife and made full admissions,” he said.

He handed the judge references on Peck’s behalf saying: “He is 63 years old, is of previous good character and is remorseful. He was held in good esteem by many people who are shocked and devastated,” he said.

Judge Michael Kay QC said: “This case was the most appalling breach of trust. You used church matters and your role in helping the community as a cloak to manipulate your way into the affections of the victim’s mother. She attended the church and looked to you as an honest member of the community. You became a very close friend of the family and while this was happening you were abusing that girl.”

He said he rejected the idea that he had no sexual interest in the child, telling him: “It is very difficult to say what the psychological damage is to the child in the future. The real evil of offences of this nature is that you have potentially ruined a life.”

In addition to the four year sentence, he said Peck must register as a sex offender for life and abide by the terms of a sexual prevention order.

April 2015

Facing jail: Depot manager shared child abuse images with other paedophiles in chat rooms

A GRADUATE who won a student of the year award for computing will be jailed today for downloading and distributing indecent images and films of children.

Michael Shaw, 49, was caught after making the material available to other paedophiles on an internet file-sharing programme.

This resulted in a police raid on his home in Derringham Street, west Hull, when computer equipment was seized and Shaw was arrested.

Hull Crown Court heard he felt “relief” at being caught.

Before the equipment was analysed, Shaw made “frank admissions” in police interview.

Stephen Welch, prosecuting, said Shaw told officers he first came across indecent photographs of children three or four years ago “by accident”.

He said he had been a “single guy for a number of years and it just sort of excited me a little bit”.

He then began viewing the images “twice a week” and swapping “material” with others in chat rooms.

Shaw admitted getting sexual gratification from the images.

The court heard most of the children being abused were aged ten or younger.

Shaw admitted four counts of making indecent images and films, one of possessing indecent images with a view to distributing them, and one of direct distribution.

In total, Shaw had 450 films and 403 still images of children being sexually abused.

Of the films, 139 were rated at Category A – the most serious – with 15 images also at that level.

His offending spanned from May 13, 2012, to May 17, last year.

Antony Farrell, defending Shaw, said: “He is very remorseful for what he has done and he is certainly totally ashamed by what he has done, and for his family and his mother, who is here today.”

Mr Farrell said after looking at the images by accident, Shaw viewed them again out of “curiosity”, which developed into sexual gratification.

The barrister referred to a pre-sentence report which mentioned “poor thinking skills in relation to this”.

But Judge Jeremy Richardson QC said: “I find that very strange for someone who has got a degree and someone who understands computers.”

Shaw had voluntarily been working with the child protection charity Lucy Faithfull Foundation and had been reading “self-help” books, Mr Farrell said.

The barrister said: “He finds a sense of relief at actually being caught, because, from that point, the police officer explained the help that was available and he has partaken of that.

“He has the support of his family.”

Shaw is currently suspended from his job as a depot manager.

He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced today.

Judge Richardson told him: “I’m afraid I’m going to send you straight to prison.”

April 2006

Chip shop boss jailed for sex assaults on girl

The manager of one of Cardiff’s best known chip shops has been jailed for sex offences.

Keith Barcoe, 39, who has run Dorothy’s in Caroline Street for the past 23 years, admitted three sexual assaults on a teenage girl.

He had argued that being put in prison would affect the fast food business.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that his family – already devastated from knowing he has committed sex offences – would only suffer more if their livelihood was taken away.

Previously, Judge Christopher Vosper QC had adjourned Barcoe’s case for his wife to be contacted. But yesterday he locked him up for 21 months, telling him: ‘Your wife says that any financial hardship caused to her is not a factor she wishes to be taken into consideration.’

Barcoe was put on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years and was banned from ever working with children.

As he was being led away to the cells, the judge called for him to be returned to the courtroom, to inform him that because of his high income he would have to pay all his own defence costs.

His lawyer, David Pinnell, said he had let down not only his family but the original owners of the chip shop he runs.

‘They took him under their wing as a rather isolated 15-year-old looking for his first job after successfully raising their own three children,’ he told the court.

‘They will be completely devastated when they know about this case.’

Judge Vosper said Barcoe’s sentence was being set at 21 months to give him credit for pleading guilty and not forcing his victim to have to give evidence against him.

He had also shown ‘genuine remorse’ for what he had done.

The judge told him: ‘You have worked hard all your life for your family but your wife is now considering divorcing you. Any punishment I impose is nothing compared to that which you have imposed on yourself.’

April 2015

Teacher jailed for 11 years for rape of Oldham schoolgirl he groomed via internet

A former teacher & already convicted paedophile who sexually abused and raped a 12-year-old girl he groomed over an internet chatroom has been jailed

Justice has finally caught up with serial sex offender Paul Waites after the brave victim reported her horrific ordeal to police six years on.

She watched in court he was jailed for 11 years. The victim is now suing a council’s social services department, alleging officers failed to protect her from harm.

Waites, 43, ‘randomly’ added the girl as a friend on the ‘Teenchat’ social messaging website in 2006 and claimed he was 18 and from Stockport, a court was told. The victim, from Oldham, was 12 at the time but told him that she was 13.

She thought Waites, who was aged 33 or 34, was ‘nice and caring’ and made a decision to meet him, Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

Their first meeting took place in Waites’ convertible car on the car park of a Sainsbury’s supermarket in Oldham. Nothing happened then, but she was sexually assaulted and raped during two further meetings.

In a moving statement read in court, she told how Waites had ‘ruined her life’ and how she felt like a ‘prisoner inside her own mind’.

The victim, who cannot be named, also suffered further serious sexual abuse at the hands of other men in 2006 after Waites’ abuse.

She developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and added in the statement: “He took away my childhood before it had the chance to begin. I have had to consistently relive what he did to me. Most days I have flashbacks as to what happened.”

Police were able to trace Waites, from Bramley, Leeds, through an e-mail address. He pleaded guilty to meeting a child following sexual grooming, sexual assault, causing or inciting a child to commit a sexual act and rape.

In a separate case, he was jailed for six years in 2009 for filming himself sexually abusing young girls and possessing indecent images of children.

Judge Maurice Greene said Waites ‘targeted’ girls and also asked the girl for sexually explicit images. He said: “You essentially groomed her over a period of months. Hopefully in time she will learn to live with what you and others have done to her but it will never go away.”

Waites was also subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order restricting his use of the internet and association with children.

Richard Scorer, of Manchester law firm Slater and Gordon, is representing the victim in a civil claim against Oldham Council’s social services department, alleging the department failed to protect her from harm.

The council confirmed it had involvement with the victim and her family at the time but said it couldn’t comment further on individual cases.

March 2009

Leeds ex-teacher jailed for sex with young girls

April 2015

Man convicted in child sex inquiry

A restaurant boss is facing a lengthy jail sentence after he became the last of a string of men to be convicted of child sex offences on girls in Peterborough.

Married businessman Mohammed Khubaib, 43, originally from Pakistan, had a “persistent and almost predatory interest” in teenage girls, the Old Bailey heard.

He groomed vulnerable under-age girls by giving them money, gifts or cigarettes before plying them with alcohol.

Following a trial at the Old Bailey he was found guilty of forcing a 14-year-old girl to perform a sex act on him and nine counts of trafficking for sexual exploitation involving girls aged from 12 to 15 between November 2010 and January 2013.

Khubaib’s conviction brings the total number of people to be convicted under Operation Erle to 10, of which five are of Pakistani origin.

Khubaib was remanded in custody and warned he faces a long spell behind bars when he is sentenced on May 15.

Judge Peter Rook QC told him: “You have been convicted of a very serious offence of a rape on a young girl… having plied her with vodka.

“You have also been convicted of no less than nine trafficking offences in relation to under-age girls who you were deliberately plying with vodka so that you could take advantage of them, knowing they craved vodka so you could exploit them sexually.

“You must know the only sentence is a custodial sentence – and a long sentence.”

The jury was deliberating for less than a day before it reached its verdicts.

Four previous cases led to nine male defendants being jailed for 59 offences against 15 girls, from Peterborough, with a couple from Lincolnshire and Rutland.

The court heard that Khubaib’s activities in Peterborough involved girls being befriended and then “hooked” with alcohol – normally vodka – in an attempt to make them “compliant” to sexual advances.

Khubaib, who lived in the city with his wife and children, would pursue his interest “away from his home and family”, using his restaurant as a “focal point”.

Mark Dennis QC, prosecuting, said the girls were vulnerable because of their age, background, circumstances or unsettled schooling and Khubaib pretended to be their “friend and helper”.

Khubaib, who also ran a lettings agency, would drive girls to flats in his 4×4 and, once there, they would be groomed for sex by being “plied with alcohol and entertained by himself and his friends”.

Khubaib raped a 14-year-old girl in August 2007 by forcing her to perform oral sex on him after she was given alcohol and then “rewarded” with £5, the court heard.

The jury heard details of the trafficking allegations.

Khubaib would buy one girl and her friends McDonald’s meals and tobacco, as well as giving her small sums of money and a £40 bunch of flowers for her 15th birthday, the court heard.

He told the girl he wanted her to be his wife, saying that he would “choose her over everyone else”, while he told another 15-year-old she had beautiful eyes, the jury was told.

When she rebuffed him, saying he was too old for her, he was said to have replied: “Age doesn’t matter.”

Khubaib allegedly offered another girl £60, telling her: “You make me happy, I’ll give you money.”

Two weeks later he allegedly increased the offer to £90. The girl refused.

In January 2013, Khubaib picked up two friends – one aged 12 and the other aged 14 – in his seven-seater car and took them to a McDonald’s, Mr Dennis said.

The girls became uncomfortable when Khubaib got into a row on his phone and slipped away.

Later that month, the defendants were arrested at a terrace house in Peterborough, where police found two girls aged 14.

Khubaib said in police interviews that his association with all of the girls was innocent and he had not acted in any improper way, denying any sexual contact with the girl he is said to have raped.

Cambridgeshire Police and Peterborough City Council launched a “victim-led” inquiry after identifying a number of young people who might have been at risk of sexual exploitation towards the end of 2012.

The joint investigation was proactively initiated in response to the Rotherham and Rochdale child abuse cases.

A police spokesman said: “We have made great efforts to safeguard these young people, win their confidence and explore what they told us. As a result of the information given to us, we launched a number of investigations. A police investigation formally began in early January 2013.”

A number of the victims were in care at the time and had problems at home and school while the abusers’ ethnicity reflected the local demographic – Portuguese and eastern European, as well as Asian/Pakistani men.

April 2015

Judge brands serial bus groper ‘manipulative and deceitful menace’ to young girls

A serial bus groper responsible for a string of sex crimes has been branded a manipulative and deceitful menace to young girls.

It took less than an hour for a jury to convict remorseless Javed Montakhab, 64, of sexually assaulting a young woman on a packed bus.

The 18-year-old victim froze in terror as he touched her leg during a 30 to 45-minute ordeal, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Montakhab, of Cobden Street, Thornaby, had a string of previous convictions for molesting young women on buses, and used his bus pass so often it had been declined.

But he vehemently denied this “heinous offence”.

Montakhab – already on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely – was identified by his own monitoring officer in the sex offender management unit, who had visited him days earlier.

He had moved to Teesside following seven convictions for sexually assaulting young women on buses in Manchester in 2002, 2004 and 2011, the last offence earning him a 30-month jail term.

He insisted that the white-haired, bearded “animal” using his bus pass and captured on CCTV footage was not him

The goateed pervert showed no reaction as the jury delivered its unanimous verdicts this afternoon.

Then he bowed his head in the dock as Judge John Walford told him: “You have tried repeatedly to delay or prolong this trial but your attempts have failed.

“You are in my judgement manipulative and deceitful.

“And you are unable or unwilling to change your behaviour, or indeed to show any remorse for what you like to do.

“You are in my judgment a menace to young girls.”

He said he would assess whether Montakhab was a dangerous offender, and his medical and psychological condition.

The judge remanded Montakhab in custody until he is sentenced next month.

Conor Quinn, defending, said prison was inevitable but a pre-sentence report would help the court as Montakhab had bipolar disorder.

The jury heard how Montakhab got on to a bus at Middlesbrough bus station and sat next to the 18-year-old woman.

He started touching and stroking her leg as the bus pulled away at about 5pm on November 27 last year.

The scared victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, tried to move away and push him away but did not feel able to confront him or make a scene.

She texted a friend during the journey saying she was shaking and close to tears.

Montakhab finally got off the bus in the Norton area, leaving the teenager traumatised.

The assault was reported to police and the attacker’s picture was circulated in Cleveland Police.

He was arrested by officers who saw him crawling around a home on Yarm Road, Stockton.

Montakhab gave an eccentric, rambling performance in the witness box during his trial this week.

Judge Walford repeatedly had to remind him to answer questions during the bizarre testimony.

Describing himself as an “Anglo-Persian” psychologist, Montakhab claimed the allegation did not “fit my modus operandi” and said he had “no sex drive”.

He said he was collecting food vouchers from a property on Yarm Road, Stockton, at the time.

Evidence disproved his false alibi, showing the vouchers were issued the previous day.

He denied “hopping on buses left, right and centre” to touch young women, or that he was attracted to young girls.

He told prosecutor Shaun Dodds: “I’m not that animal that you’re portraying to the jury.”

He also denied that he sexually assaulted five teenage girls in Manchester in 2004, and said of his 2002 conviction: “She never complained.”

April 2015

April 2015

Runcorn man facing prison for sex offences against girl

A MAN has been warned that he faces a substantial prison sentence after he was convicted of sexual offences against a young schoolgirl.

Anthony Paul Ellis, 30, denied sexual assault and inciting the girl, aged under 13, to engage in sexual activity – and blamed her for what had happened.

He claimed the victim was highly sexualised, which was indicated on her Facebook site.

But the jury at Mold Crown Court was told that police had checked her Facebook site – including deleted items – and found that it contained nothing more than the usual interests of young girls.

The girl’s mother told the court in a statement that she found it highly offensive that such suggestions were being made about her daughter.

Statements obtained from the girl’s school showed that she was a shy, quiet girl who gave the school no cause for concern, the prosecution said.

Ellis, formerly of Deeside but now of Waterford Way in Runcorn, had previously been bailed on condition that he did not enter Flintshire, apart from attending court, and he was not to approach witnesses or have any unsupervised access to children under 18.

But when the guilty verdicts were announced on Friday Judge Philip Hughes remanded him in custody pending sentence.

He did not fix a sentencing hearing date, but said it would be in May.

“You will, I am afraid, be receiving a substantial prison sentence for these offences,” the judge told him.

He should also register with the police as a sex offender, Judge Hughes added.

The court heard Ellis had previous convictions for 24 offences, but nothing of a sexual nature.

Karl Scholz, prosecuting, suggested to the court that the case was of a category that could have a starting point for sentencing of eight years.

April 2015

Boys’ Brigade leader had indecent pictures of young boys on home computer

A Boys’ Brigade leader who admitted having hundreds of indecent images of children has been spared jail.

Aberdeen businessman Mark Wilkie had more than 400 images of young boys on a computer in his bedroom.

The 47-year-old, who served with BB companies in Forfar and Monifieth, previously admitted possession of indecent material between April 30, 2007 and January 6, last year and appeared for sentencing at Forfar Sheriff Court yesterday.

He was put on the sex offenders’ register for 18 months and ordered to carry out 270 hours of unpaid work.

The court heard that when police raided Wilkie’s home last January, they found indecent material on a Dell computer in his bedroom.

A total of 412 indecent photographs of 12 to 16-year-old boys were recovered from four files. They comprised 406 level one images and six at level two in seriousness, with level five being the highest end of the scale.

Cyber forensics revealed the images had been downloaded between 2008 and 2012, and had last been accessed in January 2014.

The court was also told that seven indecent videos, downloaded between 2007 and 2010, were recovered. Five of those were level two material and two were categorised at level four.

Defence advocate Gavin Anderson said yesterday urged the sheriff not to jail Wilkie, of McCulloch Drive, Forfar, since the images were at the lower end of the scale and had not accessed by anyone else.

He added: “The accused has a real and genuine willingness to engage and undertake all assistance open to him.”

Sheriff Gregor Murray said he thought there would be more benefit to the public in a community based disposal instead of a prison sentence in Wilkie’s case.

He placed Wilkie on a probation order for 18 months, part of which requires him to take part in an intervention programme for people convicted of sexual offences.

And Sheriff Murray told him: “You will have no unsupervised contact with a child aged under 17 except inadvertently and without prior approval from your supervising officer.

“You will not engage in any hobbies or social activities which are likely to bring you into contact with a child aged under 17.”

Wilkie must also register any devices with access to the internet with the police.

National Boys’ Brigade chiefs previously said they were “deeply saddened” by the case and that Wilkie had been suspended as soon as offences came to light.

April 2015

Stevenage mum admits sending schoolboy indecent pictures of her breasts and vagina on Facebook

A mother-of-four is facing prison after pleading guilty to inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Frances Schneider, of Trumper Road in Stevenage, sent photographs of her breasts and vagina via Facebook Messenger to the under-age schoolboy, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

The 32-year-old was arrested in November after the boy’s mother called police.

Police seized the boy’s phone and found explicit messages and indecent images from Schneider.

The message content included: ‘Are you horny?’ and ‘Are you touching yourself?’.

Schneider initially pleaded not guilty to the offence.

But on Friday – four days before she was due to stand trial – she changed her plea to guilty.

Today she appeared at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court where prosecutor Ms Morrissey requested a custodial sentence be considered due to the “degree of planning and forethought” and a “lack of remorse” from Schneider.

She also asked the late guilty plea to be taken into consideration.

She said: “The victim didn’t want to come and give evidence because it’s all too shocking and stressful for him.

“He is preparing for his GCSEs and hasn’t been able to properly do that.”

The court heard how Schneider’s four children are all in foster care, or care of family members, due to neglect.

Schneider, who must now sign the Sex Offenders’ Register, has been given conditional bail and will be sentenced at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on May 12.

Her bail conditions include having no contact with anyone under 16 in a private place and not accessing social networking sites.

April 2015

RAF veteran filmed up skirts of pre-teen girls in Drake Circus

AN RAF veteran used mobile phones to film up the skirts of young girls in a city shopping centre, a court heard.

Daryll Clarke, aged 43, made about 100 indecent images and videos of children over a three-year period.

Clarke, of Revel Road, Higher Compton, was finally apprehended on Saturday when police caught him in the act in Drake Circus.

He admitted the offence and appeared in front of magistrates on Monday.

Prosecutor Gareth Warden said Clarke entered Primark on April 4 and was seen on CCTV approaching girls aged between 10 and 12.

“It seems Mr Clarke was very aware of the cameras,” Mr Warden said. “He sees a young girl, about 10 years old, in a short black skirt. He has his mobile phone in his hand the whole time.”

A week later, on April 11, Clarke entered the same store and a witness alerted the centre’s security team.

“He left Primark and made his way to Waterstones.

“He was carrying a black mobile phone, looking at the ceiling and also around him.

“He went into the children’s section and his attention was turned to three-year-old and seven-year-old girls.

“He had a book in his left hand and a mobile phone in his right hand. He held this position for one minute.”

Mr Warden said two PCSOs saw Clarke kneeling down in front of an elderly woman in a mobility scooter in order to focus on a 15-year-old girl wearing a tight mini dress.

“They challenged Mr Clarke as they could see light coming from the phone,” he said. “They believed he had been videoing up the female’s skirt.”

Clarke was arrested outside the centre and police later found he was in possession of three mobile phones, containing about 100 videos and pictures, one of which was hidden in the waistband of his trousers.

Mr Warden said the defendant’s techniques were similar across several incidents.

“He approaches them then drops to his knees and the image is then captured,” he said.

“It seems that the pictures are of younger and younger girls as time has gone on.

“There are concerns that the behaviour is escalating.”

Kevin Hopper, representing Clarke, said his client was of previous good character, an RAF veteran, a former member of Devon and Cornwall Police and a local businessman.

Clarke was released on conditional bail and will appear for sentence at Plymouth Crown Court on May 15.

April 2015

Devon café worker offered schoolgirls alcohol and cigarettes for indecent images

A seaside café worker offered 13-year-old girls alcohol and cigarettes in exchange for them sending him sexually explicit selfies.

Thomas Free met the two girls through his job at a coffee shop in Teignmouth and started contacting them online.

They asked him to buy them cigarettes and alcohol and when they offered to pay he refused their money, but suggested they send him pictures of themselves instead.

He even arranged for one of the girls to meet him to perform a sex act, but her sister intercepted the text message and tipped off the police.

Both girls agreed to send him images but fooled him by cutting and pasting images they found on the internet, Exeter Crown Court was told.

Free, aged 23, of Coombe Vale Road, Teignmouth, admitted meeting a child after sexual grooming, two counts of inciting a child to send him indecent images, and one of possessing indecent images.

Judge Brian Forster, QC, ordered a psychiatric report to explain to what extent Free’s offending was caused by a psychotic condition.

He said the offences would normally merit a jail sentence with a starting point of four years. But he said he needed more information about Free’s medical condition and how it would a jail sentence would affect him.

He adjourned the case and bailed Free to return to court in June.

He said:”The starting point in cases of this type is four years. This is a fairly bad case which shows a degree of manipulation and his contact with the girls continued over a significant period of time.

“There has to be a proper assessment by a psychiatrist addressing whether his mental illness played a part in this offence.”

Mr Joss Ticehurst, prosecuting, said:”The two girls wanted the defendant to obtain alcohol and cigarettes for them and he took advantage by requesting images of both girls and asking for sexual favours.

“He went as far as to arrange to meet one of them for her to perform oral sex on him. He was also found with indecent images which appear to be of a 14-year-old girl

“In the summer of 2013 one of the girls, then aged 13, went to the café in Teignmouth where he worked because she was looking for a job.

“He was aware she needed help with her CV and they made contact on Facebook where she asked him to obtain alcohol and cigarettes.

“They were handed over behind the station in Teignmouth and when she asked him how much she owed him he said she did not owe him anything but then began to ask her for pictures of herself.”

Mr Ticehurst said he started exchanging texts and Kick messages with a second girl after the first used her phone to call him and he obtained her number.

He asked both for pictures of themselves. One girl sent an image of herself, but both sent other pictures which they downloaded from the internet and claimed were themselves.

He said messages showed him cajoling one of the girls to meet him after school to perform oral sex and offering to give her £10 but she decided not to go and the police were called after her sister saw the texts.

April 2015

Man (43) tried to scam girl, 13, into sending nude photos

A PERVERT who tried to scam a schoolgirl that he would tell a modelling agency about her if she sent him pictures of her breasts was today facing jail.

Frankie Robertson, 43, contacted the girl via Facebook.

He messaged her: “See when you get a minute can you send me a photo of your t**s, please?”

He asked: “Are you a model?” and said that if she sent him photographs he would pass them onto a modelling agency.

Depute fiscal Marie-Claire Chaffrey told Alloa Sheriff Court that the girl, who was 13 at the time of the incident last summer, told her mother.

Ms Chaffrey said: “The mother was extremely concerned and posted a message on Facebook asking parents to check their children’s accounts to see if they had been in contact with the accused.”

Robertson, of Alloa, was traced and arrested and interviewed at Falkirk Police Station, where he gave a “no comment” interview.

He pleaded guilty to sending the girl sexualised messages, and also admitted sending similar messages to a 15-year-old girl

The court heard that when the 15-year-old’s mother had messaged him back telling him not to send any more messages to her daughter, he had replied with a vile remark.

Mike Lowrie, defending, said: “At the time of the messages he was in the throes of significant alcohol dependency.”

Sheriff David Mackie deferred sentence until May 14th for criminal justice social work reports, and placed Robertson on the sex offenders’ register.